Creston Shovels: Bang for the Buck

I'm always on the lookout for good quality and yet low-priced tools. So far, I've bought Creston-brand pliers and screwdrivers, and now I have another addition to my tools. Meet my new Creston shovel and spade.

The spade has a flat blade and is mainly used for digging, while the shovel has a broad blade and used for lifting or scooping. Many people call the spade a shovel and vice versa, perhaps because the blade of the shovel is in the shape of the spade? Either way, the shovel can be an all-around tool but I also wanted to have a spade.

Creston Shovel and Spade

The steel blade is attached firmly to the shaft, thanks to the two metal rivets(?). Some shovels only have one rivet for attaching the blade, and some have none at all. This rivets will ensure that the shaft won't loosen after some heavy usage.

Top: Shovel, Bottom: Spade. They have different markings, though.

The handles are also appealing and sized just right, but I'm a bit skeptic since they're made of plastic. Perhaps the handles will be the first ones to break, but they're sturdy enough for my needs. Having a plastic handle reduces the overall weight of the shovel. Aside from the plastic handles, the shaft is made of lightweight wood too! I've used several kinds of shovels and I will always prefer the lightweight one, especially when doing construction works.

Shovel handles. Plastic but durable

If you're buying a shovel, try to consider every option on display. Fortunately, Ace Hardware in SM Megamall have several kinds of shovels on display. I was able to try other brands (like Eagle and their housebrand Ace) and weighed the pros and cons of each. At only 300 pesos per shovel, Creston brand is a good choice for me.